Maybe I should have run in costume today?

It's Halloween and never a dull moment. I got freed from work early, so I decided to hit the road before taking my daughter out trick or treating. It was pretty nice out, about 8C with a light breeze. I headed out the door on my usual route, up through the pretty part of old town, then through the park, finishing back into the main part of downtown. It was early enough that traffic shouldn't be much of an issue. I felt okay, once I got going, my mind clear and trying to keep a constant pace. Well around the mid point, my plan for constant pace was out the door. I faded pretty badly as I got into the park, I could feel it. I rallied as I got closer to home but the damage was done. The overall result was surprising but consistency was not on the menu today. 28:46 ~ 6km, 4:47 km pace. Not a bad effort but just highlights a need to work on staying on pace. Tomorrow should be a bit of a challenge, 16km after a short sleep and a busy day at work. Wish me luck. Peace.

Hey, wasn't it light just a minute ago?

Today was the first day I really realized that the light is rapidly disappearing. I got ready and locked the door behind me, having picked a 10km route I haven't done in a month or so. I started off easy, no rushing today, just enjoying the distance. I ran along the Goose Trail which is the old rail line that was converted to trails about 13 years ago. It parallels major arteries in town and is very popular with runners and cyclists alike. On my way back home I noticed that it was alot darker than I remember it being at this time. I suppose that is normal considering the time of year but it came as a bit of a surprize. I felt very fluid today, nice and easy stride, although I do feel some tightness in my left leg, I think it is just distance and stretching, good thing I have tomorrow off. 49:34 ~ 10km, 4:57 km pace. This week I will have covered over 400km since mid August, not bad for an out of shape slob with no motivation and no passion to do much of anything. At 502km, that will cover the distance of Vancouver Island from Victoria to Port Hardy. That day should come somewhere around the 19th of November. See you then. Peace.

Dear Boogieman.....I win

When I got home from work today, I had a sit and relaxed after a super busy day. I checked my email and got something regarding a half marathon coming up in mid February. I am very familiar with the race as I used to work in the area where it takes place and had even considered running it a couple of years ago. Then the boogieman spoke up and told me as I looked at the pictures from last years race, "you're too slow to run with them, you won't do well, you know it. Probably not even worth trying, you know you can't do it." I listened as I always do, without hesitation, without saying anything. I looked at the pictures again and at my waiting running shoes and decided to silence the boogieman. But he wouldn't shut up, again he told me, "why do you bother with this pretending, you'll never amount to anything, you're just a fat slob and you should just give up cause there is no use." I got up and started to tie my laces. I smiled because as I continued to get ready, the protest got louder but I just didn't pay attention like I usually do. As I grabbed my keys and gloves, the boogieman was shouting at me. I left him screaming at me, back in my apartment.
I decided on the same route as yesterday, although I had every intention of taking it nice and easy. It is starting to get dark earlier and it was chilly enough for gloves and a light jacket, the temp said 10C but it felt about 4 degrees cooler. I started off up the first long hill, easy, confident and just happy to be running. I made all the lights today, funny when that happens, it is like you have just the right speed to coast on through. At the turn I smiled to myself to see if I could negative split this run. I turned at 25 minutes, so anything under 50 would be good enough. So I made the effort and took it serious. Around 8km, I was really starting to feel it, just a I came to the top of the last long hill, where I can move faster as it is a gradual downhill from there. At the end, I tapped out for 48:46 ~ 10km, 4:52 km pace. Not bad considering each km got faster through the last 6. When I got back to my apartment, the boogieman was gone. Guess I win, this time.

The joy of the out and back

Being a simple guy it is easy to see why I like the simplicy of the out and back, you know the run where you run from one point to a turn around point then follow the same route back. One I don't get lost that way and two, it gives me good perspective of just how far I have left to run, especially when tired. And nothing better than that today. I planned to run just after lunch because that would give me time to get the bulk of the things done I needed to today. So just after 1pm I laced up and headed out. Just 9C but sunny and little wind. I felt pretty good starting off, especially after the assult on my legs yesterday. By about the 3k, I was into a sweet stride and was feeling light. My route took me through an area that is mostly seniors so pedestrian avoidance is at a premium. At the turn, the wind was up a bit and a might chilly. I pedaled it homeward, feeling the hills in my legs from yesterday. I knew from my 8k split time that I was quick but the final time told the tale. 47:29 ~ 10km, 4:44 km pace. I was pretty impressed with that effort considering the distance the day before. I find there is nothing more confidence building than a good solid run when you don't think you can, it reaffirms that everything is right in the world for me. Till Sunday.........peace.

All distances are not created equal

Here in Victoria, it is rare in late October to have weather such as we have been having. Clear and warm, with a distinct lack of wind and rain. I skipped my scheduled short run yesterday as I was wiped from the day, so I figured I would tack on a couple of km's to each of the next few runs to make up for it. So that meant today was 16km. I wasn't sure what to wear as the weather was tricky, warm enough for shorts but cool by the water, the majority of my distance so long sleeve and vest? I pondered my choices as I laced up. The temperature was 14C and not a lick of wind. I knew after the first km that I had worn too much but hoped that I would need it later on. Now, just an aside here but in town now are few tourists compared to even a month ago. I reported several days ago about an old guy standing his ground on the sidewalk as I was running. I am not clear on running etiquette but I can assure you that I do my level best to stay clear of people. Today, at around 2km, as I am just getting settled into a sweet rhythm, two older couples are walking towards me with absolutely no intention of moving. I stand my ground as do they. Getting off the sidewalk here was not an option as traffic was heavy. As I got closer the old guy on the outside seemed to move towards me as I went by, moving me even farther to the left. As this happened I grabbed him around the chest and dragged him back with me a good distance. Remember I am 6'1 and 225 and he wasn't nearly as big. I held onto him so we both wouldn't fall, and I let him go as I was able to get my balance and move away. I heard some imperceptible yelling in my direction but I was a couple hundred meters away by then. I figured he learned some strange Victoria lesson. So, that is two for two, wonder what will happen the next time.
As I rounded the first corner and began to trace the waterfront, the glory of why I run hadn't been so clear in a long time. The collision long behind me, I was free to move along at a comfortable pace, basking in the warm sunshine. The km's clicked by quickly as the familiar terrain disappeared under foot. With my ipod situation seemingly under control, I made a note of time and distance and was surprised at how well I was moving, considering my last run was half the distance and slow, even for me.
I was very conscious of my thinking, especially as I headed towards Gonzales Hill, a short, very steep, two turns to the right hill that at about 10.5k into the run is really nothing more than an insult. Earlier I was thinking that the hill was hard, or something less than positive, then I remembered that I have beat that hill many, many times and it has not beat me yet, nor will it. So as I approached the monster, I just shifted a gear and headed up. I laboured near the top but keep my pace as I went over and then headed down the two tier descent towards my turn off the water. I kept my pace consistent for pretty much the rest of the run, except for missing one traffic light which postponed me for 30sec. At the end I was still very comfortable. 1:20:21 ~ 16km, 5:01 km pace. I was pretty surprised I'll have to say, as I wasn't feeling that good, or at least it didn't seem that way. I was most satisfied with my even pacing, around 19sec difference between fastest and slowest km. All in all not too bad. Tomorrow, short out and back 10km. Peace.

Over the hills and far away

Well, the ipod issues aside for now (seems I figured out how to use it properly) I have been suffering with my mental toughness this week. Not sure why but my Superman complex might just be fading. The weather today would make anyone want to run at this time of the year, clear, light breeze and 14C at 8:30am. I laced up and headed out, through the park and along the water I figured, leaving a couple easy hills to the end as the final insult. As I got going I felt like I was running in soft molasses. My legs felt heavy and me, totally uninspired. I plodded on and tried to make the most out of this unfortunate feeling. The sun was bright off the water and the air was unseasonably warm, I probably could have done without the vest and just gone for the longsleeve. I kept an easy consistant pace as I turned off the waterfront and headed to the final few hills heading home. I looked at my ipod and noticed that I was closer to my goal distance than I realized. I remembered then that the route that I chose is longer and I would be comfortable with just ending at my chosen distance and walking the rest home. I eased into the last couple of kilometeres before stopping and walking. 41:25 ~ 8km, 5:10 per km.
The walk home was very pleasant providing I stayed out of the shade. This is the time where I always question why I sit and stew about not wanting to run. I always feel good after, always. Even if I am hurting, I feel good. I know I am not alone in the procrastination of running, with all the self negotiation that goes on and such, it is so freaking wasteful and pointless. Just get out and run.

The ipod letdown

Feeling good after yesterdays run, I figured I would run the same route but not as quick. My routine is to start my Nike+ on my ipod just out of the door of my building, so today as usual I fired it up and got on my way. The rain was just showering and it was 11C. I felt as good as I did yesterday but didn't indulge in pushing my effort beyond watching my stride and being easy and open. As I entered the park, I was really feeling good and the rain was starting to come down, so I made a deal with myself that I would push the last 3km and really move it towards home. I picked up the pace considerably and made my push. I knew by my breathing and quick turnover that I was moving at close to race pace now and I felt pretty good still. Sunday afternoons here in the fall with the rain thins out the traffic, pedestrian and otherwise greatly, so I had no conflicts as I came to the end of my run. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my ipod, which much to my dismay was off. I pushed the button and it flashed to life showing the total accumulated time of 2 seconds. I must have paused it as I put it in my pocket at the start of my run. I, for a moment, felt ripped off. All that effort and nothing to show for it. Then I started to laugh at myself as that is not really what I am running for, a time to show for it or a reward is it? No, I run because I can. So my technological companion let me down, in a way but it was I that let myself down by trying to be something that needs to be complimented on my effort, instead of just being satisfied by the effort alone. I learned an important lesson by this. Perhaps I will leave the ipod at home from now on. It doesn't seem to have the same appeal anymore.

A little run through the park

Dressed quickly after work today, in an effort to beat the weather but lost the battle as heavy rain came down as I was tying my shoes. So I decided to do something other until the weather broke. 90 minutes later I locked the door behind me and headed out. I have a familiar route through the park that takes me back into the city along the harbour, it is very pleasant and gently rolling uphill. The wind was calm and even though it was wet, the temperature was 13C. From the first few steps I felt really good, so I decided to go with it. My form and stride felt better than usual this early. The first hill was effortless and the turn and long run to the park was without a doubt special. As I ran though the park, I felt the earlier effort catchup with me, so I backed off a bit and enjoyed the leaves falling. Coming back towards home, I hammered best I could to finish with some style but there was nothing in the tank. It was more of a sad, clumsy finish but with no crowds watching I felt okay. To my surprize I had shaved almost 2 minutes off my time from the same distance just a week ago. 27:53 ~ 6km, 4:38 km pace. I was tickled. I run the same route tomorrow but look forward to a little less speed, a little more sightseeing. Namaste.

14km, the hard way

The past few days I have felt less than 100%, I inherited my girlfriends cold from her visit over the weekend. I did my best to self negotiate why I shouldn't go out but I couldn't seal the deal. The weather here today was 11C but a strong southeasterly wind, around 25kph. I bundled up and headed out. I ran a very familiar loop, eastward, which is more difficult as the hills are concentrated toward the middle and end of the run. I ran through town and had "Running Etiquette" on my mind as I weaved in and out of commuters taking up the whole sidewalk. One old guy had the balls to stand his ground (I am 6'1, 225, he was 5' 8, 140) I dealt him a glancing blow and just couldn't figure it out. When I got to some clearer space, I picked up my pace as the wind wasn't in my face as of yet. My mind thought of work as I passed by where I used to work and the shop where we get our salmon from. I turned the corner and braced for the wind. I ran headlong into it for a couple of km's just past my parents place to where is shifted to a more southerly track. As I ran along the water, I got picked off by three people that carried a quick pace and I tried to fight the urge to go with them, I was only at 6k and had alot of hills still to come and wasn't feeling all that shit hot. So I let them go and focused on all the people and their bloody dogs. The thing I realized today is that it isn't the dogs that are the problem, a dog will move out of your way if you are heading right towards him, strangely people will not. So, I'll take the dogs over the owners. I suffered when I reached the hills, considered walking or stopping but carried on, knowing it was only a couple of km home. The wind wasn't an issue any longer so I picked up the pace best I could for a 1:11:36 ~ 14km, 5:06km pace. I use the Nike+ipod system and am really impressed at the ease and accuracy of it. Next up, 6km on Friday, see you then.
Christian